RSIPF escorts two yachts sighted at East Guadalcanal

The Royal Solomon Islands Police Vessel RSIPV GIZO has been sent to escort two foreign yachts anchored outside Baralau Island at Aola Bay in East Guadalcanal after police received reports from local people of the presence of the two yachts on 1 December 2020.

The patrol boat GIZO left Honiara early this morning (2 December) and will escort both yachts to Honiara.

RSIPF Assistant Commissioner and Commander of the RSIPF COVID 19 Operation Simpson Pogeava says, “Initial reports received say the two yachts, one painted white with the name ROCKE HULL had two female and one male person on board while the other yacht painted dark blue with the name OCEANIS 473 had one male person on board. The second yacht was flying a flag but the local people were not able to recognise the flag. The two yachts were believed to be travelling together.”

AC Pogeava says, “The patrol boat GIZO left Honiara early this morning with officers from the Ministry of Health and Medical Services and the Immigration and Customs departments. The two yachts will be escorted to Honiara after they have been checked by the Health, Immigration and Customs officers.”

“I want to thank the community at Aola by reporting the presence of the yachts in their area. I want to call on our people there not to come into contact with the foreign nationals on board the yachts. Let us work together with our government in the fight against the community transmission of the COVID-19 in our country.”

“To our good people in other provinces let us help each other by reporting any suspicious vessels within our shores. Report to your nearest police station or call the RSIPF National Communication Centre on 999 or the Police Operation Centre on phone 27891 should you see any yachts or other vessels in your area,” says AC Pogeava.